In order to optimize your experience in the collector car hobby, you have to cover a few basics. First, there’s power. The best thing about a storied Detroit muscle car is the thrill of its legendary V8. Secondly, there’s appeal. Nothing quite matches the pride of turning heads while rumbling down Main Street. And third: there’s longevity. It’s always best to wrap power and appeal in a quality restoration that’ll provide years of reliable cruising. When it comes to hitting those essential tenets, this first-year Camaro is an excellent proposition. It nails the power part of the equation with a GM Ram Jet crate engine that was ordered directly from Street & Performance. Appeal is certainly no problem, since it’s a national award-winning drop-top that’s decked in brilliant Torch Red 2-stage. And longevity is virtually guaranteed since the car, professionally restored in 2005, has been tweaked, sorted and polished for over a decade. What’s better? Thanks to our asking price, this Chevy’s lucky new owner can score a killer classic without breaking the bank!

BODYWORK/TRIM

The beneficiary of a 4-year, rotisserie restoration that was completed in 2005, this vivid panther was sent to Kramer Coachworks & Restoration of Naples, Florida where it was stripped, fitted with fresh quarters and decked in Spies Hecker Torch Red 2-stage. Despite its massaged drivetrain, the car’s trim and ornamentation remain largely as the General specified. At the front of its body, a monochromatic grille hangs manual headlights between a custom nose stripe, Rally Sport parking lamps, a prominent chin spoiler and a triple-plated bumper. At the top of that grille, a chrome-trimmed Super Sport hood drives a small Camaro header emblem in front of tinted glass that’s caged in polished frames, capped wipers and manually operated canvas. At the sides of that hood, ornate fender emblems complement tasteful door handles while a duo of bowtie mirrors reflects dent-free wheel lips and mirrored rocker guards. And at the back of the car, a black Super Sport fuel filler and second triple-plated bumper split the difference between a prominent deck spoiler, factory taillights and Rally Sport reverse lamps.

ENGINE

Check this Camaro’s glossy engine bay and you’ll find a mean GM Performance Parts Ram Jet 350 that’s good for 350 horsepower and 400 lb./ft. of tire-twisting torque. At that top of that 2-bolt small block, a polished and stamped air cleaner forces wind in to a custom-cowled, color-keyed intake. At the back of that intake, a reliable points distributor swirls fire around polished, Chevrolet-branded valve covers with the help of pliable GM wires and body-matched looms. At the base of those covers, Vortec heads and aluminum roller rockers combine with roller lifters, a hydraulic roller cam, an iron crank, powdered connecting rods and hypereutectic pistons to create stout 9 to 1 compression. That compression exits through ceramic-coated, long-tube headers. In front of those pipes, a polished serpentine drive spins a polished alternator opposite a polished AC compressor. At the front of those ancillaries, a polished cross-flow 4-core radiator floats corrugated hoses around a 16-inch Be Cool puller fan. And everything communicates thanks to Detroit Speed engine management. Aesthetically, both the body-matched mill and its assortment of bright accessories seem right at home in front of a smoothed, color-keyed firewall. And details like a polished brake booster, braided fluid lines, polished fluid reservoirs, and bowtie caps and breathers ensure this Chevy runs every bit as good as it looks!

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

That impressive powertrain spins torque through a chrome-clad 700R4 4-speed, which utilizes a Shiftworks conversion kit to twist a tough 12-bolt axle that’s finished with 3.73 gears. That drivetrain rolls on a fully powder-coated suspension, which is finished with stiff monoleaf springs and a full array of stainless hardware. Turns come courtesy of modern power steering. Stops are provided by a traditional combination of power-assisted discs and drums. The aforementioned headers dump spent gases in to ceramic-coated pipes, which hang around ceramic-coated Flowmaster mufflers. At the corners of the car, old school Cragars spin 205/55R16 BF Goodrich g-Force T/As in front of 235/50R17 Cooper Zeon RS3s. And everything, from this Chevy’s polished floors and fresh fuel tank to its chrome oil pan and stainless fluid lines, is virtually spotless.

INTERIOR

Pop this F-Body’s solid doors and you’ll find a formal Deluxe interior that’s a true thing of beauty. In the middle of that cockpit, taut vinyl buckets are in excellent shape and show little to no signs of wear. In front of those seats, a monochromatic dash hangs an aftermarket instrument panel, complete with Auto Meter Pro-Comp Ultra-Lite telemetry, next to Vintage Air climate control and a Kenwood tape deck. At the base of that dash, fade-free carpet floats thick floor mats between billet foot pedals, quality Dynamat insulation and a color-keyed console that’s centered on a chrome shifter. At the sides of that carpet, stainless-trimmed door panels hang bright handles and simple armrests between glossy window frames and trick sills. In front of the driver, a reproduction Chevrolet Rally Wheel laps a tilting Ididit column. And behind the passengers, a custom upholstered trunk is stitched around a large bowtie.

In summary, this top-notch Camaro represents ‘muscle motoring’ at its very finest, combining a vintage driving experience with handsome looks, a clean restoration and breath-taking power. Hit the backroads… Take it to the local cruise… Put it in the Independence Day parade… Whatever you elect to do with this cool Chevy, it’s sure to be the centerpiece of traffic, the focal point of your garage and, most importantly, the car you most look forward to being seen in!